The unemployment of young people in the UK has been an escalating problem since 2005. Youth unemployment has wide social and economic issues, the cost of youth unemployment over the next decade has been estimated at around £28 billion. It is becoming harder for youth to find jobs for many reasons; the lack of skills needed for a particular field, credentialism, rise in retirement age, recruitment methods, expectations and legislations. Approximately 1 in 5 young people are unemployed, with 600 million young people going into the job market in the next decade and 200 million jobs available, the youth unemployment crisis doesn't look like it’s going to improve any time soon.
The employment of young people would have many benefits for individuals and organisations, they bring a vitality into the work place and can bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Young people out of work can be subject to ridicule and this can lead to them becoming bored and anti social in their local community. Since the young have little to busy themselves with, they often turn to other ways of “killing the time” or even making money, like drug abuse and crime. It seems an increase of unemployment is always followed by an increase in crime. This unfortunate crisis will only increase and worsen if the government will not find an effective solution very soon.
1 in 4 employers are very engaged in local youth activities, by talking in schools or employing apprentices and graduates. But there are still many who don't get involved these activities and there is still more that can be done. Local businesses as well as large retailers could help by employing young people and having flexible working hours at the weekends for when they are not in school.
By Elizabeth Statham - Langley Park School For Girls
